USGS HVO Information Statement — Magnitude-6.2 earthquake and aftershocks southwest of the Island of Hawai‘i

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION STATEMENT

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-6.2 earthquake southwest of the Island of Hawai‘i on Sunday, October 10, at 11:48 a.m., HST.

The earthquake was centered about 27 km (17 miles) south-southeast of Nāʻālehu at a depth of 35 km (22 mi). A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/. More details are available at the National Earthquake Information Center website at  https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72748782/. A magnitude-4.3 aftershock occurred at 11:53 a.m., about 5 km (3 miles) north of the magnitude-6.2 earthquake at a depth of 36 km (22 miles). Two smaller aftershocks followed theses quakes and other aftershocks are possible and could be felt.

Strong shaking, with a maximum Intensity of VI, has been reported across the Island of Hawai‘i, and throughout the Hawaiian Islands. At that intensity, very slight damage to buildings or structures may have occurred. The USGS "Did you feel it?" service (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received over 1300 felt reports within one hour of the earthquake.

The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area.

According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge, Ken Hon, the earthquake had no observable impact on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes. “Webcams and other data streams show no impact on the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea except for a few minor rockfalls reported within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Please be aware that other aftershocks are possible and may be felt. HVO continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes. The Alert Levels/Color Codes remain at WATCH/ORANGE for Kīlauea and ADVISORY/YELLOW for Mauna Loa at this time.”

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.


For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai‘i and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.

Volcano updates, photos, maps, and recent earthquake data for Hawaii are posted on the HVO website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo.

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Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards

Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/about-alert-levels

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi.